The Little Frog Who Couldn't Jump

Story-based movement: a little frog doesn't know how to jump, and its friends (the children) teach it, hopping past the creek, the river stones, and the big lily pad. They practice jumping from a crouch and helping others.

How to play

1. The teacher introduces the little frog (a hand puppet or stuffed toy), who is sad because it can't jump (1 min).
2. We teach it: crouch down, hands on the floor, and jump up (3 min).
3. The frog follows us: jump over the creek (ropes) to reach the pond (4 min).
4. Jump from the bank onto the big lily pad (mat), landing with bent knees (4 min).
5. Now the frog can jump: celebrate with one big jump all together (1 min).
6. The frog goes to sleep and we sit in a circle (1 min).

Rules

• We're the frog's teachers: we go slowly so it can see.
• We jump from a crouch, like frogs.
• Only a few frogs fit on the lily pad at once.
• I help a friend who finds it hard.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child is the wise frog who gives instructions ("Crouch, jump!") and moves through the story in their wheelchair.
• Autism: the child carries the frog toy throughout the story.
• Hearing impairment: tell the story with big gestures, using the toy as a visual aid.

Learning goals

• Jump from a crouch with feet together.
• Help others learn.
• Follow a story through movement.

Equipment for a class of 25

• gym mats: 4
• jump ropes: 6

Teacher tip

The toy is a great prop: have it "miss" its first jumps so the kids correct it. Watch that they don't confuse frog jumps with crawling—feet together.

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